Feeding Ecology of Black-Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax Nycticorax) in Van Lake Basin

Abstract

In the present study, the feeding ecology of Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) was investigated. The study was carried out in wetlands in the basin between 16th February 2006 and 4th October 2007. It was observed that The Night heron prefer the muddy and marshy places where freshwater joins to the lake for feeding. The morphometric measurement of chicks was done to determine the development related to the feeding. The measurement consisted of weight, tarsus, bill length, wing length, wing length, height and middle toe length. The Night heron feeds with animal foods. The vomiting samples of sixty (60) individuals and materials in nest were taken and seven (7) animal species belonging to five (5) classes were determined as feeding material of the Night heron (Chalcalburnus tarichi that a endemic fish species live in Van Lake, Rana sp., Bufo sp., Mus musculus, Microtus sp., Helix sp., Neuroptera's larvae). There is no plantal feeding material in feed range.